Saints Draft

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Where the Saints sit with draft picks - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Originally Posted by jeanpierre
Where the Saints sit with draft picks
March, 31, 2011
11:05 AM ET
By Pat Yasinskas
At the moment, the New Orleans Saints ...

Athletic Big Man who would be a natural DE in a 3-4 alignment; but with his athletic ability could be a freak at the 3-technique positon; moving up draft boards into the first round now. But Muhammad improves the team and gives the Saints an All-Pro in the making as an underclassman.

While I'd hate to lose depth, I do believe Arrington needs a chance to play at WR and having Henderson and Moore stunts that growth. Now, I would not move Moore unless Julio Jones fell to the Saints in Round 1. Julio Jones is the only offensive player I'd consider taking late in Round 1 despite good value at OT. The days of taking a RB in Round 1 are over unless it is Barry Sanders reincarnate.

R2/56 Mason Foster, WLB - Washington (HT: 6-1⅛ - WT: 241)

Marginal measurables, but his film tells a different story; he can bring the wood; John Madden/Mike Ditka type of player, old school; Durable and productive; Team Player. Admittedly I'm not very high on Pac 10 players; but the more I see of Mason Foster the more I think Football Player.

Fast; not a whole lot of miles; would like to see him have had another year; only RB I'd consider taking this early other than LeShoure from Illinois. Someone had posted video of a LB from UNC, but it was a play where Williams ran through a tight gap and blew past everyone that stood out. If he is available it'd be a tough choice between the Foster and Williams. And despite the definite upgrade at OLB, I strongly consider this addition to the RB corps.

Go to Roman Harper's Wikipedia page and you'll see 'em swinging a golf club; picking Carter would keep 'em there; he has excellent coverage skills at S: Fluid, Good Angles, Smart and has excellent community track record; not sure he's be there this late but would be a steal at this slot. Getting Quinton Carter would definitely be salve for the wound of the screwing we took (Redskins/Shanahan double whammy).

R3A/72A Robert Sands, S - West Virginia (HT: 6-4⅜ - WT: 217)

One of the more intriguing players in the draft, his physical size would make him an interesting pairing with Michael Jenkins; plus, he'd have the size to compete for jump balls against taller receivers; and he could definitely intimidate with the hitting as well...

R3B/72B (from Washington) K.J. Wright, OLB - Mississippi St. (HT: 6-3⅜ - WT: 246) Experienced LB who has flown under the radar in the SEC at Miss St which is starting to gain more momentum for producing outstanding NFL defenders and Wright looks to be one that they could point to with pride...

R3/88 Pierre Allen, DE - Nebraska (HT: 6-3⅞ - WT: 273)

Natural Leader; Has very good, maybe not elite, physical tools; though sacks declined with departure of Suh last season, tackles for loss went up; disciplined end who maintains assignment/area; would be an excellent rotation player at the very least early in his career...

Alternate Picks: Da'Rel Scott, RB - Maryland (HT: 5-11 - WT: 211) Fastest RB at the combine; could be compared to Titan's Chris Johnson; unsure if he's prepared to be a five tool RB in the NFL (Read, Block, Run, Catch, Return) mainly can/does he want to block in the NFL.

Rounds 4,5,6 we sit; David Thomas has been an underrated contributor, but when you consider what we invested in TE with Shockey, Thomas, and Graham (and I liked the selection of Graham at the time of the draft) I think it's been a bit much and something the Saints need to review.

R7/225 Willie Smith, T - East Carolina (HT: 6-5 - WT: 310)

Good Size, Range; key component to helping his school set new performance records on offense; unofficial stat of 40+ knockdowns (i.e. pancakes, slammers) while playing in Conference USA; former Tight End whose made transition to Left Tackle, so he could fit in with Coach Payton's player eligible play calling; could look to replenish depth should Bushrod or Strief depart...

Analysis: The NFL is a coin flip. And the playoff loss to Seattle taught the Saints what happens when one side of the coin (Defense) is playing poorly. There is no question this list is Defense, but it is where most value is for the Saints at their current picks.

Mar. 31, 2011 2:37 p.m. - Who the Saints took #1 in 2010: Patrick Robinson, CB (No. 32 overall). Who they should have taken: WR Mike Williams. Robinson saw some playing time in his rookie season and still needs some development. Sean Payton loves offensive weapons and Williams certainly provided a spark for Josh Freeman and the Bucs.

Mar. 31, 2011 2:30 p.m. - Who the Saints took #1 in 2009: Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S (No. 14 overall). Who they should have taken: Clay Matthews. The Saints are more than pleased with Jenkins' emergence at FS this season, but Matthews is a gamechanger at LB and that's been a position the Saints could use an upgrade.

Mar. 31, 2011 2:29 p.m. - Who the Saints took #1 in 2008: Sedrick Ellis, DT (No. 7 overall). Who they should have taken: Chris Johnson. The Saints certainly needed help on the D-line and they traded up to draft Ellis, who has been solid through his career. But the Saints were still in flux at RB in 2008 and Johnson is one of the league's best.

Mar. 31, 2011 2:28 p.m. - Who the Saints took #1 in 2007: Robert Meachem, WR (No. 27 overall). Who they should have taken: Sidney Rice. The Saints didn't draft a need position when they selected Meachem, but Rice would have been the better WR pick. Rice blossomed into a go-to WR in 2009 as Meachem hasn't become any more than a No. 3 WR in New Orleans.

Mar. 31, 2011 2:24 p.m. - Who the Saints took #1 in 2006: Reggie Bush, RB (No. 2 overall). Who they should have taken: Maurice Jones-Drew. Bush has had his moments with the Saints, but Jones-Drew's production at RB destroys Bush's numbers. Jones-Drew has rushed for 5,248 yards and 54 TDs, while Bush has rushed 2,090 yards and 17 TDs.

Mar. 30, 2011 8:35 p.m. - At least one member of the Saints staff attended Washington's pro day on Wednesday. It's highly doubtful that the Saints are looking hard at Jake Locker. LB Mason Foster and S Nate Williams could be the more likely targets.

Summary: Remember that because of dealing up for the Patriots' first-round pick, the Saints don't have one of their own in 2012, so that value hit has to be factored in. I liked this draft a little more back in April. No. 24 overall pick Cameron Jordan was a really dynamic player at Cal, but he faces ceiling questions now after a rookie season in which he wasn't able to deliver much as a pass-rusher. And although the deal to move up and draft Mark Ingram made the Saints' backfield a very impressive and versatile group, given the presence of Darren Sproiles and Pierre Thomas, because Sean Payton employs a steady mix at running back, was getting another one really worth a first-round pick? The cost looks pretty significant even though Ingram had a pretty decent rookie year. Martez Wilson didn't see much time, and Johnny Patrick didn't, either. Some of the questions I had for the Saints' O-line were solved post-draft in free agency, but, even then, Cameron and Ingram need to show a lot more (and stay healthy) to justify the cost.
New grade: C+

It's still early, but there are some valid criticisms and questions presented...

Summary: Remember that because of dealing up for the Patriots' first-round pick, the Saints don't have one of their own in 2012, so that value hit has to be factored in. I liked this draft a little more back in April. No. 24 overall pick Cameron Jordan was a really dynamic player at Cal, but he faces ceiling questions now after a rookie season in which he wasn't able to deliver much as a pass-rusher.

And although the deal to move up and draft Mark Ingram made the Saints' backfield a very impressive and versatile group, given the presence of Darren Sproiles and Pierre Thomas, because Sean Payton employs a steady mix at running back, was getting another one really worth a first-round pick? The cost looks pretty significant even though Ingram had a pretty decent rookie year. Martez Wilson didn't see much time, and Johnny Patrick didn't, either. Some of the questions I had for the Saints' O-line were solved post-draft in free agency, but, even then, Cameron and Ingram need to show a lot more (and stay healthy) to justify the cost.
New grade: C+

It's still early, but there are some valid criticisms and questions presented...

Uhh Mel... we didn't have Sproles when we drafted Ingram and Thomas was coming off a foot injury and Ivory just had a serious surgery that has ended may NFL careers.

Jordan is in a 4 sometimes 5 man rotation at DE. His numbers are obviously going to suffer. He's played well when called upon, and he wasn't drafted as a edge rusher to start with.

Patrick got hurt in preseason, which stunted his development. Lately he's seeing more time and playing well.

EVERYONE knew Martez was raw and needed a year or so to develop, which he's doing nicely. If he wasn't raw, he never would have lasted to the 3rd.

I'm surprised by Mel. He's usually much more informed than this.

Yeah, I know most don't like him but I do, big hair and big mouth and all.

Saints (conditional if Jammal Brown plays 90% of snaps in 2010 or is voted to Pro Bowl)

Traded Jammal Brown, 2011 conditional pick (sixth or seventh round if Saints get fourth round pick in this trade, fifth round if Saints get third round pick in this trade) (#155-Niles Paul) to Redskins for 2011 third or fourth round pick (whichever of the two picks is not sent to Eagles in Donovan McNabb trade) (#72-Martez Wilson), 2012 conditional sixth round pick (if Brown plays 90% of snaps in 2010 or is voted to Pro Bowl) (?-?) on 2010-06-19.